Keeping a marine aquarium has never been as accessible as it is today thanks to advances in technology and a thriving online community, but there’s still a noticeable lack of female representation in the hobby. That’s a missed opportunity, not just culturally, but commercially, in a multi-billion-dollar industry.

I conceived of Reef Betty to change that.

Starting with the brand, I’m building a platform designed to connect more women and girls to the marine aquarium world. The name “Betty” — a popular ‘80s slang term for cool, confident girls in surf and skate culture — felt like a fitting tribute to the women who helped break ground in those spaces. Reef Betty is a modern nod to those pioneers, reimagined for the world of reefing.

The vision is to launch a website, app, and strong social media presence that informs, inspires, and connects. The goal: to spotlight the women already leading in the hobby, and to empower a new, diverse wave of aquarists to dive in, share their journeys, and grow together.

Brand and Identity, UX Design, Entrepreneurialism